Christmas Meme

I've been tagged...again! This time it's a Christmas meme....

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Definitely wrapping paper. I love watching people open gifts. Much more fun with paper to rip apart!

2. Real or Fake tree?

Well, we had a fake tree last year, but my hubby threw it out after it started falling apart. We plan on getting a real tree this year. My husband will pay $30-$40 for the smell of pine, but I wouldn't mind paying $20 for a fake tree. They look so nice!

3. When do you put up the tree?

Usually the day after Thanksgiving, but this year it will be the 1st weekend of December...YAY! THIS WEEKEND!!

4. When do you take the tree down?

After Epiphany

5. Do you like egg nog?

I don't reallly like it, but my family does.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

My little box filled with random treasures that my Aunt Penny makes for me. They can have little books, pretty hair ties, keychains, bookmarks, paper weights, etc. in them. She fills them with things that remind her of me. So special.

7. Do you have a Nativity scene?
Of course! It's already up in my China Cabinet

8. Hardest person to buy for?

My husband, hands down.

9. Easiest person to buy for?

My daughter...she just wants cold hard cash. (teen, wants to shop after Christmas sales!)

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received?

A fire extinguisher...from my X step mom who didn't really like me.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards?

I (embarressingly) don't send Christmas cards. I WILL send an email to dear friends though!

12. Favorite Christmas movie?

Definitely "A Christmas Story". My family loathes this movie because I wear it out. I'll save it for Christmas day this year...

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I only buy gifts for the people who will be at our house, and pretty much just for the kids. So, I'll start this weekend since I'm buying the kids all board games. Lindsey just wants money, so that's easy!

14. Have you recycled a Christmas present?

Oh yeah, many of them!

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

Fudge, cookies, candy canes, and our traditional Christmas morning breakfast when the grandparents and visitors bring a dish to share.

16. Clear of color lights on the tree?

I like them ALL! This year it's my daughter's turn to choose how we decorate the tree. She's chosen lime green decorations with clear lights. Should be interesting.

17. Favorite Christmas song?

"Away in a Manger" I sang it in front of 300+ people when I was 6 and have loved it ever since.

18. Travel or stay home at Christmas?

It's my rule that we stay home. No more trying to please everyone by showing up. My motto is: "If you're in the area and wanna come over, please come, if not....NO GUILT!!!"

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

Uhhhh, maybe if "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" is playing in the background!

20. Angel or Star tree topper?

Not sure yet....

21. Open gifts Christmas eve or day?

We go to my grandmother's house for Christmas eve and exchange gifts. We open our gifts to eachother Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?

Worrying about making everyone happy

23. What I love most about Christmas?

making memories and traditions come to life with the kids.

Ok, I tag Lady Dorothy! YOU'RE IT!!!

Mahalo,

amy k*

rambling about kids........

I had such a nice day yesterday with my nephew. He's fighting a bad chest cold and couldn't go to daycare while his mom worked. She called me at 8, asking if I could come pick him up. I was too excited to jump in the car and go get him! We took Lindsey to school, and he couldn't stop talking about how big "Lindsey's high school" is. He asked me, "When I grow up, can I go to a big high school like Lindsey's high school?" about twenty seven times. (he's repetitive but OH SO CUTE). Justice has a HUGE vocabulary. He really soaks up everything around him. And, he's quick to point out if you're slippin'! (God's way of keeping us in check) Anyway, we came home and made a spot for him to rest on the sofa. This boy looked at me and almost fell out laughing. "Untee Amy", (that's how he says Auntie), "you know I came over to play." I asked him, "Aren't you sick Justice, don't you want to lie down and read a story?" "Nope. But you could read me a story when I jump!"...and he kicked off his shoes, moved the coffee table and jumped back and forth between our sectional sofa. (we jump on sofas around here...)

His giggles, his questions, his jumping, his kisses and hugs...took me back to the days when Lindsey was little. Now she was amazing, a sight to see. Girls have SO MUCH to say and SO MANY ways to say it all. Lindsey talks with her whole self. She always has. If she's happy, she's twitchy, like she's being tickled. When she's tired, she's lying down WHEREVER we are. If she's mad...DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT. If she's in trouble with us, she's all puppy dog. She's not a fake cryer, but when she cries, your heart may just leap right out of your chest. She's quietly expressive. She doesn't mean to show all her cards, but her sincere spirit gets in her way of hiding what she's thinking or feeling. I like that about her. Her sweetness radiates from her eyes and her smile. She's just discovering her femininity, and learning what power it possesses. Lindsey Belinda Kathleen is growing up...and it's bittersweet.

She's a better person than I EVER was. She really is concerned for the homeless guy on the corner, or the kid who goes home to an empty home. She's always bringing new friends over to eat or hang out. She asks us what we think of her friends, and is open to an honest answer. She's called "nerdy" at school because she's not dating boys or following the crowd. It hurts when she feels ostracized. But she's strong and resilient. She gets down sometimes but knows she'll get back up. She's teaching me a WHOLE LOT about being a woman! And to learn from my 14 year old daughter! My!

Ok, I think I've gone on and one...lots to say when it comes to kids. They make my soul sing. I know, it may sound corny to you, but I'm a cheesy, corny kinda girl...who would rather play with the kids than the "growed-ups"...

Mahalo (for listening to me ramble on and on!)

amy k*

Lumi kuke ~ kitchen

I've been tagged!

Lady Dorothy over at Daffodil Dreams http://ladydorothy.blogspot.com/ has tagged me to do a "8 Random Things About My Kitchen" meme. So here goes!

1. My kitchen is in severe disrepair. We aren't allowed to do any of the fixing as we rent. So I've been waiting for YEARS to have my cupboards and drawers replaced!

2. I still try and decorate my shabby little kitchen and make it presentable. Right now it's decorated with some of my Hawaiian treasures...an old tin with Waikiki beach, a faux pineapple, my carved-like-a-monkey coconut, a few leis, and of course my chopsticks! (I collect chopsticks).

3. I don't have use of a drawer right now, so my silver wear are in a lower cupboard.

4. I STILL love love love being in my kitchen...even if it's not perfect!

5. I keep my CD player in my kitchen so I can sing with a favorite artist while I cook.

6. My rice cooker stays out on my counter. It's used 5 out of 7 days of the week...atleast.

7. My kitchen is "galley-style"...that's fancy talk for TOO SMALL.

8. Regardless of size, folks usually gather in the kitchen...because that's where all the fun is!

I tag Alicia over at "Shoot For Eternity"!! YOU'RE IT!

Mahalo! That was fun!
amy k*

Makana ~ Present

“Wrong will be Right, when Aslan comes in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death-And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

I WON!! Hurray!!!

I entered a contest to win "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe" on the "Shoot For Eternity" blog. I am SO excited to report that I won! You see, I haven't really ever won anything! And this movie is my ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE EVER!! I love how it parallels the Gospel of Christ, and how it can be used as an evangelism tool for the young and old alike! It's so perfect I won it at this time too...plenty family members are coming over Christmas day for food, movies and fellowship. This will be our first movie! THANK YOU ALICIA!! I am (obviously) SUPER excited!!

Check out the "Shoot for Eternity" blog here! http://shootforeternity.blogspot.com

MAHALO!!

amy k*

''ONE SCHMAL KINE PIDGIN STORY,'' by Amy Williams

Once upon one time dere waz one young girl named Amy. Amy waz 30ish years old and stay living in San Luis Obispo, California. One day wen we been leave school, one purple-green Honu wen jump out from behind one Banyan tree an wen trow Amy to da ground. But just when she almost wen scream for help, Amy had reka notice dat da purple-green Honu stay only licking her face, not going bite em off. An den, Amy wen figurah fo keep da purple-green Honu fo one pet. Nevah have one name so she had go name her pet purple-green Honu ''Shakalaka.'' Wen Amy an her da kine pet had go home already, who you tink was ovah dere on do lanai? Az right, was Amy's Muddah, Kathy. An waaped her jaw fo see da purple-green Honu in da back of Amy right inside da yard! ''Wat iz dat?'' shouted Kathy. ''It's one purple-green Honu,'' answered Amy. ''No dah, I can see dat, Amy, but wat it stay doing heah?'' said Kathy. ''Dis iz my da kine new pet!'' answered Amy. ''Hoo, dats wat you tink?'' remarked Kathy. No get your hopes up. You know Daddy no like purple-green Honus. But, well, I guess, no mattah if you keep him until you Faddah come home.'' So den Amy wen grab Shakalaka by the ear an wen take her new pet inside da house--even wen she had know dat her faddah no like. Inside da house, Amy and Shakalaka had good fun, until Amy's favorite TV show, ''What Not To Wear,'' had start. By dis time Amy had forget all about Shakalaka stay running all ovah da house. Until half way true ''What Not To Wear,'' wen Amy wen come back to reality she wen heah her faddah yelling, ''YOU LOLO!! Amy! Get you boooooooty in da bedroom...NOW!!'' An den Amy had rushed insi da bedroom fo see waz up. Wen she had go in da bedroom, dere waz her Faddah, Patrick, pointing toward da sofa. Somebody going tell me waz going on?'' asked her Faddah. Den, wen Amy had follow her Faddah's fingah where stay pointing, she already know why her Faddah stay so upset. Dere, right in da middle of da sofa, was da biggest pile of Honu doo-doo she eveah seen! ''I no EVEN like know how dat had got dere,'' said Patrick. ''But you bettah go clean em right now! And you bettah get rid of whateveah wen did dis!'' Well, knowing how her Faddah going aack Amy already had know, no sense even ask her Faddah fo keep Shakalaka fo one pet. So den, right away Amy wen fo go look where Shakalaka stay hiding. Afteah looking around, Amy had find Shakalaka undah da table dat Amy did her to play wit da keikis on. ''Come, Shakalaka, time fo find you one new home. Eh, no look at me li-dat, you da one had make doo doo on da sofa! scolded Amy. Tanks eh, cuz of you I neveah going get my own pet Honu!! So den Amy wen take Shakalaka out-si da house and down to da local Old Navy. Dey had one pet section and Amy had know da ownah would try find Shakalaka one good home. So aftah dey wen say good-bye to each uddah, an say tanks to da owner of Old Navy, Amy wen walk back home an try fo dround her sorrows by slamming down a half dozen Guava nectars. But Amy's time fo feel sorry fo herself pau wen her Faddah had remind her about da doo doos she nevah did clean up. An den, right in da middle of da clean-up, Amy came tankful dat somebody else going do da clean up from now on. DA END.

I found this cool website http://www.extreme-hawaii.com/pidgin/funkine/story1.html

I made up this story on the site. It's full of funny pidgin sayings, words, and how to say them. SUPER fun!!

Mahalo!
amy k*

Ratatouille

My husband (and I!) LOVED the movie "Ratatouille". He watched it a few more times than I did, and I know I watched it atleast six times! Anyhoo, I found this cute cartoon on the "Being 5" blog...http://beingfive.blogspot.com/

Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i

Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i ~ Happy Thanksgiving!

We will be celebrating our day of Thanks at my momma's house. Where will you be? I am making a few pies tomorrow for our day of Thanks. I'm looking at new recipes to try. What's your favorite? Any good recipes out there? If so, send 'em on in! I love baking, and can't wait to see what I come up with next. It's such a special time for me while I'm cooking. I pray, sing, laugh with the fam, taste, listen, all that...I really get into it. Even if I'm making oatmeal, I still really enjoy being in my little kitchen. I like wearing my pretty aprons while making good stuff for my loved ones. I need to cook more often...it's soul-refreshing to me. I didn't used to be so "home-maker-ish". I was always a lover of baking, but my heart wasn't really in it all. I was taught by some lovely ladies that it is GOOD and PLEASING TO THE LORD for me to enjoy homemaking. Once I learned that, it all changed for me. I really do see serving my family as my way of blessing and loving them. And, the Lord loves it too...what's better than that? That's something I'm thankful for...God making me a woman who loves to serve her family, and for the loving ladies who taught me what God wants for me!
Drop me a line and let me know your plans and what you love or don't love about Thanksgiving.
What are you most Thankful for?
Mahalo!
amy k*

Makuahine & Makuakane

I love my parents.

I love how they exemplify marital love. They have taught me what unconditional love is. I love them for loving me, and more importantly, for loving each other so much that their love poured out into our little family of three.

I spent the morning with my mom today. My dad had called while we were talking. I sensed that he was terribly worried about her. My mom kept telling him that she was fine, and that she'd be just fine. She's been fighting a nasty lung infection, and was especially weak today. I could tell by the conversation that he was trying to let her know he'd be home for lunch early, and was coming to take care of her.

I love how concerned he is. He adores my mom. For real. He'll tell you he's addicted to her. I love that. A real man not afraid to be head over heels in love with his wife.

My mom really picked a winner for my step-dad. They married when I was 5. He has and always will be the perfect example to me of what a husband and father should be.

Oh, and did I mention how much I adore my mom? She pretty much my hero. She'll take up for the least, and stand up to the most. She'll ask you two thousand times what you want to drink when you walk in her door. She'll call me everyday just to check and make sure my family and I are doing well. She adores her loved ones, and surely isn't afraid to show it. I love her for who she is. She's the original source of love to me. God certainly knew who to pick to shower His celestial love onto me with. He uses her to love on me. I love Him for that.

Ok, I know this is a sappy, cheesy post. But then again, it is my blog...my place to gush and to just let it all out. So there ya go.

The photo above is of my dad and mom renewing their vows on Ali'i beach on Oahu. It was so precious to see. The reverend blessed them in Hawaiian, and they re-confirmed their covenant to God and each other. It was so sweet.

Thanks for reading (if you got this far!) lol

Mahalo,

amy k*

Pehea'oe?

Aloha,

Pehea'oe? ~ How are you?

Me? Oh well I'm not as good as I should be.

Today was a very productive day. I went to an important appointment, cleaned like mad, and have a delish dinner cooking. I accomplished quite a bit!
But why do I feel so down today? I dunno...maybe a bit blue because of so much changing around here, maybe because my baby is growing up right before my eyes, maybe because...oh I dunno. I really just want to curl up with my blankie (yes, I still sleep with a blankie) and sleep. But then, I might be succumbing to a depressive spirit...NOT A GOOD IDEA.
I think I need to go put on my Fred Hammond CD. Or I may just go and sing a NEW song to my Lord.
WAIT A MINUTE.
I know.
I need to get back into service. I need quit focusing on my needs and how I feel.
I need to serve someone else, AS UNTO THE LORD.
I hear you Father...I hear you.
When serving others, the selfish spirit is banished. The depressive spirit is blocked. Our joy is in pleasing the Lord. To serve His children is to please Him, I believe.
Yep. On the double. Gotta run...
Would you mind praying with me? I'm off on another adventure.
Gotta find out just what He should have me do.

Mahalo,
amy k*

Hau’oli Lanui ~ Happy Holidays (ALREADY?!)

I am a holiday junkie. I put out some of my Christmas decorations already, and it's only November 14th. I wait all year to watch my favorite holiday movies, listen to my holiday CDs, put out decorations, yes....I'M A HOLIDAY JUNKIE. I can't wait to wish folks a Merry Christmas. I can't wait to bake scrumptious treats. I can't wait to have all my babies (nieces and nephews) come for the Winter school break. I can't wait to make Christmas crafts. I just cannot wait. SO I WON'T. I'm going to decorate (little by little) early. I'm going to watch one holiday movie a week. I'm putting on my Christmas music. Why not celebrate God's love for us early?

Why not make merriment in my home to prepare for my favorite season? Why not be filled with the Christmas spirit early?

I know alot of folks laugh and think I'm crazy. Well, I may be.

CRAZY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!!

Hau’oli La Ho’omakika’i ~ Happy Thanksgiving

Hau’oli Lanui ~ Happy Holidays

Hau’oli Hanukaha ~ Happy Hanukkah

Mele Kalikimaka me ka Hau'oli Makahiki Hou ~ Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Mahalo,

amy k*

ps...did I mention I love presents? ;)

Ke Aloha and what-not...

Aloha!

So I've finally started a blog. For what?!

To journal, to keep in touch, to better my typing skills (kidding), to find out more about me, to find out more about you, to see if I'm a good writer, to have fun figuring out yet another computer application, to learn some new stuff, to feel like I'm listened to, oh so many reasons...why do YOU blog?

Really, why DO you blog? I wanna know!

I've (AGAIN!) made some life-changing decisions lately, and felt I ought to try something new. I've never been much of a journel-type, but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm quite "ramble-y", cheesy, goofy, and many other descriptions....BE NICE!!! lol

I've named my little blog "Ke Aloha" because it means "beloved" in Hawaiian. My name (amy) means "beloved", and I've been raised with the spirit of Aloha since I was 5...(my step-daddy is from Oahu). Soooo, there's they WHY to my blog name.

I hope to gain something from this, and hopefully give something back...we'll see where this takes me!

Mahalo,

amy k*